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In this paper I use three case studies to describe my attempts to understand and discuss with patients the difficulties that they often experience when trying to carry out tasks that have arisen from a collaborative relationship between us in cognitive-behavioural therapy. The difficulties seem to appear because of a conflict between two quite different views of the predicted outcome of collaboration. The conflict can occur both within patient and therapist as well as between them. I suggest that it can be understood by use of the concept of internal cohabitation (Sinason 1993; Richards 1993, 1994, 1995), the premise of which is that each human body contains two autonomous minds. One mind has the capacity to collaborate and develop, while the other believes only ill can come from such a venture.